After the special session went off the rails, the governor framed the first day of the regular session as a fresh start, attempting to bring lawmakers together. But the challenges, including the budget, lurk in the background.

After the special session went off the rails, the governor framed the first day of the regular session as a fresh start, attempting to bring lawmakers together. But the challenges, including the budget, lurk in the background.

The Louisiana Legislature ended its special session March 5 with no resolution to the state deficit. (Source: KSLA News 12)

Louisiana lawmakers are paid $164 a day when in session. And some legislators plan to keep that pay even though the special session failed in achieving its primary task - resolve the state budget deficit.

Louisiana lawmakers are paid $164 a day when in session. And some legislators plan to keep that pay even though the special session failed in achieving its primary task - resolve the state budget deficit.

After House lawmakers squashed the first major tax bill Wednesday night, the future of the special session remains in question. Some lawmakers are even suggesting they may just call it quits and go home.

After House lawmakers squashed the first major tax bill Wednesday night, the future of the special session remains in question. Some lawmakers are even suggesting they may just call it quits and go home.

With less than a week left in the latest special session at the state capitol, Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards is having difficulty getting his way on his plan for erasing the latest budget shortfall.

With less than a week left in the latest special session at the state capitol, Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards is having difficulty getting his way on his plan for erasing the latest budget shortfall.

Louisiana lawmakers are getting ready for their third special session under Gov. John Bel Edwards, who's been in office for just over a year now. The 10-day period starts Monday and the state legislature has one mission - to solve Louisiana's $300 million budget shortfall.

Louisiana lawmakers are getting ready for their third special session under Gov. John Bel Edwards, who's been in office for just over a year now. The 10-day period starts Monday and the state legislature has one mission - to solve Louisiana's $300 million budget shortfall.

Any new ideas to close Louisiana's $940 million deficit are a mystery for a number of lawmakers. State representatives were asked on Tuesday and Wednesday if they had any clue how to close the estimated remaining $150 million to $200 million gap.

Any new ideas to close Louisiana's $940 million deficit are a mystery for a number of lawmakers. State representatives were asked on Tuesday and Wednesday if they had any clue how to close the estimated remaining $150 million to $200 million gap.

The difficult and controversial choices being made to close the state's $943 million deficit are another step closer to becoming the law. Hundreds of millions of dollars in new taxes and spending cuts both passed the House Thursday. more>>

The difficult and controversial choices being made to close the state's $943 million deficit are another step closer to becoming the law. Hundreds of millions of dollars in new taxes and spending cuts both passed the House Thursday.

The first week of the 2016 Special Legislative Session will close behind the pace of what some lawmakers would like. The state has three weeks to find over $900 million to close the immediate deficit. more>>

The first week of the 2016 Special Legislative Session will close behind the pace of what some lawmakers would like. The state has three weeks to find over $900 million to close the immediate deficit.

The Department of Health and Hospitals alone will see cuts in order to fill the remaining $70 million shortfall in the state budget for fiscal year 2015-2016, according to Governor John Bel Edwards. He announced the budget cuts during a press conference Thursday afternoon.

The Department of Health and Hospitals alone will see cuts in order to fill the remaining $70 million shortfall in the state budget for fiscal year 2015-2016, according to Governor John Bel Edwards. He announced the budget cuts during a press conference Thursday afternoon.

With the start of the fiscal year underway, more than $300 million in cuts to state agencies are now beginning to fall into place. Overall, state leaders are describing the cuts as far more manageable than the $2 billion shortfall originally forecasted for the 2016-2017 fiscal year.

With the start of the fiscal year underway, more than $300 million in cuts to state agencies are now beginning to fall into place. Overall, state leaders are describing the cuts as far more manageable than the $2 billion shortfall originally forecasted for the 2016-2017 fiscal year.

The supplemental budget plan passed by the La. House included $27 million that was already allocated, according to Senate leaders. Lawmakers can compensate for the double-counted dollars by either increasing cuts or generating more revenue through tax legislation.

The supplemental budget plan passed by the La. House included $27 million that was already allocated, according to Senate leaders. Lawmakers can compensate for the double-counted dollars by either increasing cuts or generating more revenue through tax legislation.

As lawmakers face a 750-million dollar budget shortfall next fiscal year, a big cut to the state's tourism budget is on the table. That cut puts not one, but two Shreveport museums in jeopardy of closing.

As lawmakers face a 750-million dollar budget shortfall next fiscal year, a big cut to the state's tourism budget is on the table. That cut puts not one, but two Shreveport museums in jeopardy of closing.

The Louisiana branch of a conservative national organization has launched an anti-tax campaign in the midst of the second special session aimed at filling in the state’s projected $600 million shortfall for next fiscal year.

The Louisiana branch of a conservative national organization has launched an anti-tax campaign in the midst of the second special session aimed at filling in the state’s projected $600 million shortfall for next fiscal year.

A second special session to raise an estimated $600 million needed to fill the shortfall in next year's operating budget has long been expected by lawmakers. What was not expected was a bizarre move in the House which will add the state's capital outlay budget to special session as well.

A second special session to raise an estimated $600 million needed to fill the shortfall in next year's operating budget has long been expected by lawmakers. What was not expected was a bizarre move in the House which will add the state's capital outlay budget to special session as well.

To fix the budget for next year, many agencies are facing steep cuts. The House Appropriations Committee will hear testimony from several state agencies Monday about what those cuts could mean for them.

To fix the budget for next year, many agencies are facing steep cuts. The House Appropriations Committee will hear testimony from several state agencies Monday about what those cuts could mean for them.

After a month-long special session, the state is still short $70 million for the current fiscal year that ends on June 30, according to projections from the state’s Revenue Estimating Conference (REC). Next year’s shortfall rests at $750 million.

After a month-long special session, the state is still short $70 million for the current fiscal year that ends on June 30, according to projections from the state’s Revenue Estimating Conference (REC). Next year’s shortfall rests at $750 million.

A compromise reached by state legislators still leaves an estimated $30 million gap in Louisiana's budget for the current fiscal year and at least a $500 million shortfall in the next fiscal year's budget.

A compromise reached by state legislators still leaves an estimated $30 million gap in Louisiana's budget for the current fiscal year and at least a $500 million shortfall in the next fiscal year's budget.

With the deadline to fix the budget less than 24 hours away, state lawmakers still have several issues to iron out before producing a plan that combines cuts and tax increases. Leaders of the House and Senate spent much of the day behind closed doors while working to find compromise.

With the deadline to fix the budget less than 24 hours away, state lawmakers still have several issues to iron out before producing a plan that combines cuts and tax increases. Leaders of the House and Senate spent much of the day behind closed doors while working to find compromise.

A Senate committee took action Tuesday morning, altering a current bill in a big way. The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee passed an amendment cleaning all four pennies, removing exemptions, thereby increasing the burden on businesses.

A Senate committee took action Tuesday morning, altering a current bill in a big way. The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee passed an amendment cleaning all four pennies, removing exemptions, thereby increasing the burden on businesses.

The clock is moving closer to the deadline for the Louisiana Legislature as lawmakers still work to fix the budget shortfall. After hours of bargaining and backroom dealing, lawmakers may be reaching a compromise. more>>

The clock is moving closer to the deadline for the Louisiana Legislature as lawmakers still work to fix the budget shortfall. After hours of bargaining and backroom dealing, lawmakers may be reaching a compromise.

Louisiana smokers could be forced to help close a massive state deficit if the Senate approves a bill just passed in the House. With a vote of 75 to 26, the Louisiana House approved the tax hike. more>>

Louisiana smokers could be forced to help close a massive state deficit if the Senate approves a bill just passed in the House. With a vote of 75 to 26, the Louisiana House approved the tax hike.

The head of the Department of Health and Hospitals warned state lawmakers Tuesday that more deep funding cuts will produce dire consequences for state funded health care services. The threatened cuts have the private manager of the “safety net” hospital in New Orleans considering ending its contract with the state. more>>

The head of the Department of Health and Hospitals warned state lawmakers Tuesday that more deep funding cuts will produce dire consequences for state funded health care services. The threatened cuts have the private manager of the “safety net” hospital in New Orleans considering ending its contract with the state.

With the House only advancing less than $1 million in new money Monday and a Senate committee looking a package of spending cuts, lawmakers are feeling the pressure at the State Capitol with just a few more days left in the special session. more>>

With the House only advancing less than $1 million in new money Monday and a Senate committee looking a package of spending cuts, lawmakers are feeling the pressure at the State Capitol with just a few more days left in the special session.

Standardized tests and vouchers are in jeopardy because of deep cuts the state House approved for the Louisiana Department of Education, and as students in local public schools go about learning, people running the school systems are on pins and needles. more>>

Standardized tests and vouchers are in jeopardy because of deep cuts the state House approved for the Louisiana Department of Education, and as students in local public schools go about learning, people running the school systems are on pins and needles.

Parents may not want to hear some of what the LSU president had to say Monday as other schools are like sharks in the water while LSU tries to stay afloat. He said the perennial budget problem is creating system-wide collateral damage. more>>

Parents may not want to hear some of what the LSU president had to say Monday as other schools are like sharks in the water while LSU tries to stay afloat. He said the perennial budget problem is creating system-wide collateral damage.

LSU President F. King Alexander sent a message Friday morning to provide an update on the current budget situation. He stated as it currently stands, all LSU campuses still face a $33 million cut this semester, with $17 million of that to the flagship campus. more>>

LSU President F. King Alexander sent a message Friday morning to provide an update on the current budget situation. He stated as it currently stands, all LSU campuses still face a $33 million cut this semester, with $17 million of that to the flagship campus.

University and college students throughout Louisiana are expected to walk out of classes at noon today as state lawmakers enter Day 5 of a special legislative session to address Louisiana's budget crisis.

University and college students throughout Louisiana are expected to walk out of classes at noon today as state lawmakers enter Day 5 of a special legislative session to address Louisiana's budget crisis.

Higher education leaders say that the state's public colleges and universities will still be making $71 million in cuts even if lawmakers pass all the tax raises that Governor John Bel Edwards is proposing. more>>

Higher education leaders say that the state's public colleges and universities will still be making $71 million in cuts even if lawmakers pass all the tax raises that Governor John Bel Edwards is proposing.

More than 500 school board members from across the state loaded onto buses and traveled to the state capitol to lobby for education funding. In light of the state budget crisis, they came to push the governor and legislators to protect money for K-12 schools. more>>

More than 500 school board members from across the state loaded onto buses and traveled to the state capitol to lobby for education funding. In light of the state budget crisis, they came to push the governor and legislators to protect money for K-12 schools.

A top higher education official made the rounds in New Orleans on Tuesday, meeting with college students and university leaders and trying to explain what’s at stake in terms of the budget crisis. more>>

A top higher education official made the rounds in New Orleans on Tuesday, meeting with college students and university leaders and trying to explain what’s at stake in terms of the budget crisis.

The Republican Party of Louisiana is officially back from any honeymoon they may have been on with Gov. John Bel Edwards. The Party released a new ad attacking Edwards for going back on what he said about raising taxes during the campaign. “Is John Bel Edwards going to raise your taxes,” a na

DHH said in the best case scenario, it would cut between $64 million and $169 million from now to June 30. "It saddens me that we are in this situation," said state Rep. Pat Smith, D-Baton Rouge. more>>

DHH said in the best case scenario, it would cut between $64 million and $169 million from now to June 30. "It saddens me that we are in this situation," said state Rep. Pat Smith, D-Baton Rouge.

In the words of state leaders, it is more bad news. This year's immediate shortfall that must be closed by the end of the special session just grew an extra $17 million because Gustav FEMA money won't come this year.

In the words of state leaders, it is more bad news. This year's immediate shortfall that must be closed by the end of the special session just grew an extra $17 million because Gustav FEMA money won't come this year.

Governor John Bel Edwards made a rare public address to the residents of Louisiana Thursday night regarding the state's grim financial status. This comes after the state's projected budget deficit, increased to nearly $1 billion.

Governor John Bel Edwards made a rare public address to the residents of Louisiana Thursday night regarding the state's grim financial status. This comes after the state's projected budget deficit, increased to nearly $1 billion.

All TOPS payments were stopped immediately Thursday because of the uncertainty surrounding the state's budget crisis. The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance alerted colleges and universities at 3 p.m. via email. "Due to the possibility of state budget cuts, all TOPS payments are being suspended immediately until further notice. More details will be provided as information becomes available," stated John W. Bell, TOPS Awards and Renewals Manager...

All TOPS payments were stopped immediately Thursday because of the uncertainty surrounding the state's budget crisis. The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance alerted colleges and universities at 3 p.m. via email. "Due to the possibility of state budget cuts, all TOPS payments are being suspended immediately until further notice. More details will be provided as information becomes available," stated John W. Bell, TOPS Awards and Renewals Manager...

Even before announcing he would deliver a speech for all to see, the new democratic governor warned that things were getting worse financially and that without new revenues the consequences would be dire. more>>

Even before announcing he would deliver a speech for all to see, the new democratic governor warned that things were getting worse financially and that without new revenues the consequences would be dire.

Gov. John Bel Edwards will make an historic address Thursday to the people of Louisiana that will focus on the budget crisis facing the state. It will air statewide at 6:30 p.m. and can be seen on WAFB.

Gov. John Bel Edwards will make an historic address Thursday to the people of Louisiana that will focus on the budget crisis facing the state. It will air statewide at 6:30 p.m. and can be seen on WAFB.

Governor John Bel Edwards issued a call Friday for a 25-day special session of the Louisiana Legislature. The special session will address the budget shortfall, which is the largest in Louisiana's history.

Governor John Bel Edwards issued a call Friday for a 25-day special session of the Louisiana Legislature. The special session will address the budget shortfall, which is the largest in Louisiana's history.

With half of the current school year in the books, the East Baton Rouge School Board is already looking at new challenges ahead. Superintendent Warren Drake said their biggest mission is becoming a parent's first choice for educating their kids.

A report from the Public Affairs Research Council (PAR) details how the state ended up in the current financial crisis. The report points a finger at fiscal decisions made during the eight years of the Jindal administration, saying Louisiana is in the worst shape since the 1980s oil bust. more>>

A report from the Public Affairs Research Council (PAR) details how the state ended up in the current financial crisis. The report points a finger at fiscal decisions made during the eight years of the Jindal administration, saying Louisiana is in the worst shape since the 1980s oil bust.

Before lawmakers can address the predicted $1.9 billion short fall in next year's budget, they first have to come up with $750 million to overcome this year's shortfall. And, they have to do it fast, before the current fiscal year ends in June. more>>

Before lawmakers can address the predicted $1.9 billion short fall in next year's budget, they first have to come up with $750 million to overcome this year's shortfall. And, they have to do it fast, before the current fiscal year ends in June.

Governor John Bel Edwards, Commissioner of the Division of Administration Jay Dardenne, and Secretary of the Department of Revenue Kimberly Lewis Robinson will hold a news conference to discuss options to fill the current $750 million shortfall in the state budget and the roughly $1.9 billion budget shortfall predicted for FY 2017.

Governor John Bel Edwards, Commissioner of the Division of Administration Jay Dardenne, and Secretary of the Department of Revenue Kimberly Lewis Robinson will hold a news conference to discuss options to fill the current $750 million shortfall in the state budget and the roughly $1.9 billion budget shortfall predicted for FY 2017.

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